Apple’s OS X Mavericks operating system goes free

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Apple has revealed Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks desktop operating system for free in its product launch event along with improved MacBook laptops, the lightest iPad Air and Retina iPad.

Apple revealed OS X 10.9 Mavericks for free

The move from Apple suggests that the desktop operating system is no more as a center of profits for the companies. By releasing the improved version of 16 years old surviving operating system for free, Apple has moved to the new era of earning revenues. In its first 4 releases the company charged $129 for OS license and Apple decided to cut the price to $29 starting from OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard in 2009. Last year, Apple released OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion for $19 ultimately now onwards it the OS X software will be free. Although Microsoft recently announced that it would not charge consumers who upgrades Windows 8 to the latest Windows 8.1, the company is still relied on selling operating system’s new licenses.

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Apple is learning to adapt into the situation, where its mobile devices (iPhones and iPads) along with other mobile platforms (Android and Windows Phone) are growing faster than Laptop and PC market. Here, notable thing is, all mobile operating systems are free and they have learned to make money via apps and in-app purchases, ultimately leading to a different revenue model. Hence, desktop and laptop computer market is also moving into the same business model by providing the OS for free and it wouldn’t be a surprise, if Microsoft announce the Windows 8.1 as a free OS as they have also got the separate App market – Windows Store. Adding to this expectation, we have a strong stats, which would make you agree to this. Microsoft once made 47% of its revenue by selling Windows OS and last year it has plunged to only 25% (including the ad revenue from Windows Live).

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About John W Arthur

John is the head of our IT Security team and he writes about Security, IT news on The Next Digit. He was the Employee of the Year 2013 for his selfless support and efficiently setting up the whole security infrastructure. He also occasionally writes on "IT Sec Pro" Print Media of Sweden. All posts by John